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Van Conner

Van Conner (March 17, 1967 – January 17, 2023) was an American rock musician best known as the co-founding bassist of the influential band . Born in , to parents who owned a video store, Conner relocated with his family to , during his childhood. There, in 1985, he formed in high school alongside his brother on guitar, vocalist , and drummer , drawing from , , and folk influences to pioneer the Northwest sound. The band gained prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s, signing with and later , and releasing key albums such as (1992), which featured the hit single "." Beyond , which disbanded in 2000, Conner contributed to various projects, including session work on Mark Lanegan's Field Songs (2001), touring with Dinosaur Jr. in the 1990s, and leading bands like and VALIS. He also formed side projects such as and Musk Ox, maintaining an active presence in the scene. Conner died at age 55 from and complications related to a prolonged illness. His contributions to and , particularly through ' raw energy and psychedelic edge, cemented his legacy as a foundational figure in the music movement.

Early life

Birth and family

Van Conner was born on March 17, 1967, in , to parents who owned a video store. The family relocated to , during his childhood, where he spent his upbringing in a rural environment that would later influence his musical path. He grew up in a of seven children, headed by his father, Gary Lee Conner Sr. His siblings included his older brother , a and future bandmate; Suzy; and younger siblings Patrick, Ava, Joe, and Dylan. The family's video store business provided early exposure to diverse , including and music, while home life immersed the children in eclectic sounds from record collections, sparking Van's initial interest in rock and alternative genres.

Musical influences and first bands

During his high school years in , Van Conner developed a strong interest in music, influenced by the and scenes emerging in the Northwest. He was particularly drawn to the raw energy of bands like , , and , which shaped his approach to bass playing alongside classic rock acts such as and the . Growing up in a small town with limited local music infrastructure, Conner and his brother Gary Lee sourced much of their inspiration from thrift store records, including 1960s staples like , , , , and , fostering a DIY rooted in experimentation. Around 1984, Conner formed his first band, Explosive Generation, while still in high school, recruiting his brother Gary Lee on guitar and drummer to create a loose ensemble that captured the gritty, unpolished sound of the era. The group embodied the roots of the Northwest underground, emphasizing self-recorded demos and informal jam sessions amid Ellensburg's sparse scene, where access to professional equipment was rare. They performed locally at small venues and events, such as college gatherings at , honing their hybrid of psychedelic and influences through a commitment to independent, low-budget creativity. As Explosive Generation evolved, the Conners sought to expand their lineup, leading to the addition of vocalist in 1985, a move that infused the project with deeper lyrical intensity and set the stage for its transformation into a more structured outfit. This collaboration marked the end of their initial high school-era experiments, bridging their garage foundations directly into professional aspirations without yet formalizing the band's identity.

Career

Screaming Trees

Van Conner co-founded the in 1985 in , alongside his brother on guitar, vocalist , and drummer , with Conner handling bass duties. The band quickly developed a raw, psychedelic sound influenced by '60s garage and '70s heavy rock, drawing from Conner's admiration for bassists like Black Sabbath's and Minutemen's . In the late 1980s, the relocated to , immersing themselves in the burgeoning scene, and signed with independent label . Their debut full-length album, Even If and Especially When, arrived in 1987, followed by (1988) and Buzz Factory (1989), all on , establishing their reputation for swirling guitars and intense rhythms anchored by Conner's steady, propulsive bass lines. Transitioning to in 1990, the band released (1991), (1992), and their commercial peak (1996), with Conner's contributions evolving to include more melodic, wiggly bass patterns that complemented the group's heavier, more accessible edge. As key players in the grunge movement, the gained significant exposure through the video for "," a track from that Van Conner co-wrote and which peaked at number five on the Songs chart, boosted by its inclusion on the Singles . Conner's work on songs like "" and "More or Less" featured driving, thunderous rhythms that underpinned the band's psychedelic intensity, providing a solid foundation for Lanegan's brooding vocals and Gary Lee Conner's riff-heavy guitars. However, mounting internal tensions, exacerbated by personal struggles and difficulties in recording new material, led to the band's indefinite hiatus after the tour in 1997 and their official breakup in 2000.

Side projects and collaborations

In the late 1980s, during a period of relative inactivity for , Van Conner formed the side project , where he served as lead vocalist and guitarist alongside drummer . The band released a self-titled in 1990 on Records, featuring tracks that showcased Conner's and songwriting beyond his primary role. In the 1990s, Conner collaborated with vocalist Aaron Stauffer on the acoustic project , exploring folk-rock influences rooted in garage-rock aesthetics. The duo, with Conner handling , 12-string acoustic, , , and drums, recorded their album New Dawning Time in 1998 at Uptone Electric in , which released in 1999; the record emphasized raw, organic songs penned in a secluded cabin setting. From 2002 to 2012, Conner led the psychedelic rock band VALIS (an acronym for Vast Active Living Intelligence System), often with his brother Patrick Conner on guitar and vocals. The group issued several albums, including the debut Vast Active Living Intelligence System in 2002, Head Full of Pills in 2004, Dark Matter in 2009, and Minds Through Space and Time in 2012, blending spaced-out riffs and experimental soundscapes through independent labels like Strange Earth Records. In the 2000s, Conner formed the alt-rock band Musk Ox, contributing to its development as a post-Screaming Trees outlet for his multi-instrumental talents. Conner made notable guest appearances, including live bass duties with Dinosaur Jr. during their early 1990s tours supporting Green Mind, filling in amid lineup changes. He also provided session work for various artists and appeared in a brief acting cameo as himself with Screaming Trees in the 1992 film Singles, directed by Cameron Crowe, which captured the Seattle music scene. Later in his career, Conner released independent solo material, such as the 2018 album Coming Back Again, a 10-track effort reflecting influences produced under his own name.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Van Conner began his family life early, becoming a father in his late teens or early twenties while pursuing his music career. He had children from these early relationships, though details such as their names and exact number remain private, reflecting his preference for keeping personal matters out of the public eye. Conner experienced multiple marriages throughout his life. In 1993, he married Jill Danielson, who was his wife at the time of his death in 2023. He shared a particularly close relationship with his older brother, , with whom he co-founded the ; the siblings maintained a deep bond forged through shared childhood experiences in , despite occasional conflicts. Post-fame, Conner led a relatively low-key existence in Washington state, prioritizing family and avoiding the excesses often associated with rock stardom, as evidenced by his reflections on how his children provided emotional support during challenging periods.

Health struggles and death

In December 2021, Van Conner underwent emergency stomach surgery, which was complicated by severe health issues leading to a coma. During his recovery, he contracted COVID-19, resulting in a blood clot in his lung. These events marked the onset of an extended illness that left him unable to walk for approximately a year. Conner's health continued to decline with ongoing battles, including a recent hospitalization for a liver infection in early 2023, though his family provided limited public updates via social media posts from his brother Gary Lee Conner. Pneumonia ultimately proved fatal as the culmination of these prolonged struggles. Conner died on January 17, 2023, at the age of 55. Gary Lee Conner announced the news on social media, stating, "Van Conner, bassist and songwriter of Screaming Trees, died last night of an extended illness at 55. It was pneumonia that got him in the end." In the immediate aftermath, tributes poured in from former bandmates, including drummer , who posted on , "Let us lower the flannel flag to ," honoring Conner's contributions to the scene. The loss came less than a year after the death of vocalist in February 2022, compounding the grief for the band's surviving members.

Discography

With Screaming Trees

Van Conner served as the bassist for the American rock band from their formation in 1985 until the group's dissolution in 2000, providing the rhythmic foundation for all seven of their studio albums released during this era. His bass lines, often characterized by a blend of influences and grunge-era drive, supported the band's evolution from underground releases to major-label success on . The band's early output included the 1986 debut studio album , released on Velvetone Records, followed by Even If and Especially When in 1987 on , which marked their first full-length exploration of hazy, feedback-laden . Subsequent SST-era albums featured Conner's prominent bass work, such as on (1988), known for its swirling, Eastern-tinged riffs, and Buzz Factory (1989), which incorporated more structured songwriting amid raw energy. The EP Other Worlds (1987, ) also highlighted his contributions during this formative phase, offering a concise set of atmospheric tracks. Transitioning to , released in 1991, produced by Soundgarden's and producer , where Conner's bass anchored the album's shift toward cleaner, more accessible . Their breakthrough came with (1992), featuring the hit single "Nearly Lost You," which peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Tracks chart and showcased Conner's steady, melodic bass groove driving the song's anthemic chorus; the track also appeared on the soundtrack to the film Singles. The band's final studio album, (1996), further refined their sound with introspective lyrics and layered instrumentation, including Conner's bass on standout tracks like "." Post-disbandment, Conner's involvement extended to the live album (2011, Sunyata Records), a collection of recordings from the band's 2000 farewell shows, where he performed bass and provided backing vocals on selections spanning their catalog. This release captured the group's enduring chemistry in a live setting, serving as a posthumous document of their active years.

Solo and other releases

In addition to his work with , Van Conner pursued several side projects and solo endeavors, often exploring psychedelic and sounds. One of his earliest ventures was the band , which he formed in 1989 as a side project while still active with . The group released a self-titled album, (also known as and Other Stories), in 1990 on New Alliance Records, featuring Conner on vocals and guitar alongside production by . The album's 11 tracks, including "Out There" and "Quiet Sea," showcased a melodic style with influences from 1960s . Conner also contributed bass to former bandmate Mark Lanegan's solo album Field Songs (2001). During a hiatus from in the late 1990s, Conner co-founded with vocalist Aaron Stauffer of . Their debut and only album, New Dawning Time, was released in 1999 on Records, with Conner contributing , 12-string acoustic, , , and production duties. Recorded at Uptone Electric in , the album blended stripped-down and folk-rock elements across tracks like "Tamed" and "Backseat," reflecting a more intimate, roots-oriented sound compared to Conner's heavier collaborations. Following the dissolution of Screaming Trees in 2000, Conner formed the psychedelic rock band VALIS (named after the Vast Active Living Intelligence System), where he served as frontman on vocals, guitar, and bass. The band's debut album, Vast Active Living Intelligence System, arrived in 2002, establishing their stoner rock aesthetic with extended jams and spacey arrangements. Subsequent releases included Head Full of Pills in 2004, produced by Conner and featuring raw, hard-rock edges; Champions of Magic in 2005, incorporating Wurlitzer and group harmonies; Dark Matter in 2009; and Minds Through Space and Time in 2012, again produced by Jack Endino with tracks like "Universe Inside My Mind" emphasizing cosmic themes. VALIS also issued several EPs and singles during the 2000s, such as contributions to compilations like Sucking the 70s: Back in the Saddle Again (2002). In the , Conner participated in the experimental project , contributing to various independent releases and live performances that leaned toward ambient and instrumental explorations, though specific album credits remain sparse. His sole full-length solo album, Coming Back Again, was self-released in 2017 via , featuring introspective tracks like the title song and "Legacy of Green," with Conner handling vocals, guitar, and production. Beyond full projects, Conner made guest appearances, notably joining as a touring and in 1990 for live performances supporting their Green Mind, providing temporary support during lineup changes without studio recordings.

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